What Happens to MPF When the Account Holder Dies?

A neighbour recently lost his wife and found MPF trustee letters among her belongings — with no idea what to do with her MPF assets. The rules of MPF inheritance Hong Kong families need are straightforward: accrued benefits become part of the estate, handled much like bank deposits, shares or property. Secure the legal-representative status first, then claim from the trustee.

Who can claim a deceased member’s MPF?

Close relatives in priority order, by obtaining letters of administration as the “legal personal representative”. Generally, the deceased’s immediate family — surviving spouse, children, parents, then siblings, in that order — applies to the Probate Registry for letters of administration, becoming the estate’s legal personal representative, then claims the accrued benefits from the MPF trustee. Under the MPF system, a member’s accrued benefits form part of their estate on death.

What documents does an MPF death claim need?

The claim form plus ID, death certificate and probate documents, lodged with the trustee. The representative downloads the “Claim Form for Payment of Accrued Benefits” (Form MPF(S)-W) from the MPFA website or requests it from the trustee, and returns it with: a copy of the representative’s ID, a copy of the deceased’s death certificate, and a copy of the grant of probate or letters of administration. Trustees may ask to see originals for verification.

What if you do not know how many preserved accounts existed?

Ask the MPFA using the preserved-account enquiry form. If the number of the deceased’s preserved MPF accounts is unknown, the representative can download Form PA-PR from the MPFA website and submit it — with ID and probate-document copies — in person, by post or by fax. After verification, the MPFA provides the trustees holding those accounts, and the representative can then check balances and file claims with each trustee. MPFA hotline: 2918 0102.

To compare charges and returns across MPF funds, visit MPF fund comparison.